The Midwest Slavic Association and The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies (CSEEES) are pleased to announce the 2025 Midwest Slavic Conference to be held in-person in Columbus, OH on April 4-6, 2025. The conference committee invites proposals for papers on all topics related to the Slavic, East European and Eurasian world, particularly those related to the theme of authenticity.
The desire for the authentic emerges from a complex interplay of cultural, historical, and social factors, often stemming from a longing for connection to one's heritage and identity. In a world increasingly dominated by globalization and mass production—processes that have both human and machine dimensions—many find themselves yearning for narratives, artifacts, and practices that resonate with their cultural origins and lived experiences. At the same time, forces in society today and in the past, including governments and non-government actors, sometimes look to “sell” items and storylines as “authentic” when they are anything but and have distinctly manipulative and often malign aims. Why do people desire the authentic and what values underlie that desire? Conversely, what motivates people to produce inauthentic products or narratives? We welcome papers that will examine these concepts as we explore how the tension between authenticity and inauthenticity affects perceptions of the peoples, cultural practices and histories of Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
The conference will open at 5:30PM on Friday with a keynote address by Dr. Mikhail Epstein (Emory U.). Building on the keynote address, a plenary panel will follow on Saturday morning. Panels by conference participants will then be held on Saturday from 10:30AM-4:45PM and Sunday from 8:30AM-11:45AM.
Abstract and Panel Submissions
Please submit a one-paragraph abstract and C.V. in a combined, single PDF file using our submission portal by 11:59 PM EST January 24th, 2025. Undergraduate and graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate. Interdisciplinary work and pre-formed panels are encouraged. Proposals for individual papers are also welcome. Online participation is not available and all potential presentations are expected to happen in person.
Have questions? Please send all inquiries to cseees@osu.edu.
Registration is required to attend all conference events and activities.
Deadlines
- Abstract and C.V. Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: Monday, February 17, 2025
- Scheduling Conflicts Due: Friday, February 21, 2025
- Panels Announced: Monday, February 24, 2025
- Final Papers to Chair: Monday, March 24, 2025
- Presenter Registration Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025
Registration Fees
Registration is REQUIRED to attend all conference events and activities. Registration will include entry to all conference panels as well as all special events listed in the Special Events section below.
- Student Presenters: $35*
- Faculty/Independent Scholars: $50
- General Attendees: $25*
*Donated Registrations for Young Scholars of Slavic Studies
Want to support up and coming scholars in our field? This year we have created an option for faculty and independent scholars to donate conference registration(s) for undergraduate and graduate students who are participating as presenters or general attendees. This will allow students to enjoy the conference to the fullest extent.
Students who are interested in receiving a waiver code for donated registrations should email CSEEES at cseees@osu.edu after panels are announced on February 24. Donated registrations will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Special Events
Opening Reception and Keynote Address with Dr. Mikhail Epstein (Emory U.)
Friday, April 4, OSU Faculty Club, Main Dining Room on the 2nd Floor (181 S Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210)
- Opening Reception, 5:30PM-7:00PM
- Keynote Address, 7:00PM-8:30PM
Plenary Panel
Saturday, April 5, 8:30-10:15AM, Pfahl Hall, Room 202 Blackwell Inn and Conference Center (2110 Tuttle Park Pl., Columbus, OH 43210)
Lunchtime Performance: Slovenian Puppeteering with Jelena Sitar Cvetko
Saturday, April 5, 12:15-1:15PM, Pfahl Hall, Room 202
- A light lunch will be served to attendees. Attendance is free for registered conference attendees, but sign-up is required due to room capacity.
- Presented in partnership with the Polish Studies Initiative, Limón Dance Company, and the Ohio State Department of Dance.
